Bleeding In Vibrams

Rusinque · Mar 16, 2012

I just got myself a brand new pair of Vibram KSO's.
The first day I ran with them (14th), I did some sprints and trail running. I ended up bleeing on back of my foot, above the heel. That thin line behind the ankle.
So I put some athletic tape and went out for a 9k run(15th) and the tape didnt do squat and made it bleed there AND on the joint below the big toe. For example, Right foot, go to joint that connects it to the foot and on the left side. Skinned was peeled off there aswell. On the Left foot too.

Yeah 2 days and filled with blood. Washed them by hand and sticking to my pain free invisible shoes for now...

Has this happened to anybody?

rbondi · Mar 16, 2012

I had the same problem with Trail Gloves. I tried band aiding the spot but ended up wearing socks which just ain't right for "barefoot shoes". The sole wore out quickly and they were retired early.

Barefoot TJ · Mar 16, 2012

Lots of folks have some blistering and chaffing in the VFFs when they're new, but after a few of those painful episodes, their skin seems to adapt and the problem goes away. Typical with any shoes though.

Rusinque · Mar 16, 2012

Yeah thats what I figured TJ. I guess I gotta break em in slowly before actually running in them.

Barefoot TJ · Mar 16, 2012

That would be a good idea. Maybe walk around in them everywhere for a month or so before running in them. That's not to say you won't have chaffing, but it won't be as bad being stuck out there a few miles from home or your car. But hey! What am I saying?! Just kick 'em off and run barefoot! :barefoot:

Rusinque · Mar 16, 2012

Haha im a huge fan of Invisible shoes, so Ill stick to those instead of VFF for now. Of course barefoot is in my daily routine.

rbondi · Mar 16, 2012

I never had to break in the bikilas. All that padding around the heel that I do not like seems to serve a purpose. The KSOs do not have the extra padding. I hope breaking them in works for you.

Trav1sty · Mar 17, 2012

The Bikilas were fantastic comfort wise. Can't say the same about the classics.

Barefoot TJ · Mar 17, 2012

I didn't care for the padding my Biks. I liked my Sprints much better, when I could run in them. Some people like the padding at the heal, some don't, some get blisters there, some don't.

Rusinque · Mar 17, 2012

So the best Vibrams arent KSOs?

Barefooting Bob · Mar 17, 2012

I like the KSO's when I use them, but I prefer barefoot. My KSO's are going on 2 1/2 years old using them everyday for work and the occasional run (more often in the winter). They would have well over 1500 miles on them. I tried the Bikila's on and they are too much shoe for me. The one issue I have with the KSO's even now, is that 20 miles is their limit per run. Further than that and I am showing signs of chaffing and skin rippin on my instep from rubbing. But anything under 20 and they rock.

barefoottyler · Mar 19, 2012

Try loosening the strap all the way(or taking it off if your model will let you). I ran a marathon with no straps and loved every step. Helped a lot with the stress on my achilles.

Wideguy · Mar 19, 2012

I never bled but definitely had chaffing in that same spot with KSO's and it resolved with breaking in. With no socks, contact rub is inevitable I think. Seems especially common with people coming from BF, kind of an different type of TMTS.

As for the "best"... when my first pair of KSO's died, I went to REI and tried on several replacements.. bikilas, KSO treks, treksports and Komodo sports... and what i found was when i tested them on their little metal grated uphill test jig , I lost all the groundfeel of the thin soled KSO's, and I missed it. All those extra lugs etc are probably great for heavier trail use etc but I went back to my simple, thin KSO's

VFFn in AK · Mar 23, 2012

I have tried lots of different VFFs. as others have said, any bleeding or blistering with a new model resolves
quickly. (Some, I've had no issues ever.) Assuming it's not freezing out and I don't need the extra ground clearance of the trek-type sole for warmth, my new favorites are the SeeYas. At least for me, they feel like a second skin. The bikilas always felt too thick or like too much shoe for me. I also like running in the classics, sprints, and KSO for their thinsole. But the SeeYas edge out my old favorites. I only got to use them on vacation and look forward to getting the chance to do so again.

jldeleon · Mar 27, 2012

I had no problem with my bikilas, I suspect it has to do with the proper sizing. Yours might be too loose, which would cause the heel to move up and down along the back of the shoe. If you can get them on in just a few seconds -I'd say they're too loose. Lol.

rickwhitelaw · Mar 27, 2012

I tried four different models of VFF's - treks, ksos, bikilas, and flows. Each served me well even though I no longer use any of them. I would not recommend the flows. The material is too tight and constricting and does not breath well. They were only slightly warmer for winter running and when washed, they became stiff. The new models of VFF'S look fun, but I'm not tempted to buy any.

Just do shorter runs in your kso's for a while and they will break in, and your skin will toughen up in the wear spots.

Smelph · Mar 28, 2012

I got a pair of seeyas recently and took them out the next day for 6.5 miles. Wound up with dime-sized blisters on both feet where the Velcro strap attaches to the upper. Haven't really had the problem since that first run (ive used thme up to 14 miles at a shot now) but I typically body glide the heck out of my feet when I wear them

Barefoot TJ · Mar 29, 2012

Doesn't the Body Glide make your feet feel all icky and sticky and slippery?

Smelph · Mar 29, 2012

For about 2 minutes until I get the vffs on. Then I don't notice it. I put it on the side of my foot at the front of the arch and on top of my foot where the "foot hole seam" (don't know what you'd call it) is.

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